Picture: The Louis van Gaal effect having immediate impact on this star?

LvG has started his new job as Manchester United manager and he seems to have had an immediate, positive effect on the squad.

There were too many glum faces under David Moyes at Manchester United last season and it seems as if all of the squad is enjoying a clean slate from which to work with The Dutchman.

The pictures coming out of Manchester United’s American training camp show a group of players who look happy and excited about the new season.

And none more so than Wilfried Zaha. So much was expected of him when he signed for Manchester United but he looked like a tortured soul from day one under David Moyes. See exhibit A:

Whatever the Scot said to the lad, it clearly didn’t have a particularly positive effect.

But, with a new manager at Manchester United, Zaha has been photographed looking as if a weight has been lifted. He was snapped laughing and joking with new signing Luke Shaw in California this week. See exhibit B (courtesy of The Daily Mail):

Louis an Gaal is famous for his thirst and talent for developing young players. Perhaps he’s already spoken to Zaha about the fact that he’s got a chance to make a fresh start and a big name for himself at Manchester United.

Certainly Zaha has the raw materials to be a top player. But now he needs to knuckle down and bring his A-game to the plate in America if he’s going to stay in the Manchester United squad.

But we think that Zaha may just turn to be the rough diamond that LvG turns his attention to polishing.

For any of those Manchester United fans who have forgotten what Zaha looks like on the field of play, here’s a reminder.